{"product_id":"inferno-sugar-maple","title":"Inferno Sugar Maple","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Sugar Maple That Sets Minnesota Yards on Fire in Fall\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInferno Sugar Maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer saccharum\u003c\/em\u003e 'JFS-Caddo2') is a J. Frank Schmidt selection of our native sugar maple, bred for an intensely brilliant scarlet-red fall display and improved heat and drought tolerance. The fiery crown lights up October landscapes from clear across the block, and the strong, upright-oval form makes a stately long-term shade tree. Cold-hardy through USDA zone 4, it's built for the Upper Midwest. Whether you're planting a dramatic front-yard specimen in Edina, a fall-color statement tree in Minnetonka, or an allee along a long drive in Lakeville, Inferno delivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInferno Sugar Maple Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAcer saccharum\u003c\/em\u003e 'JFS-Caddo2' (INFERNO)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInferno Sugar Maple, Sugar Maple, Hard Maple, Rock Maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35–40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — about 1–2 feet per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hrs); tolerates light shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Prefers consistent moisture; this Caddo-provenance selection handles heat and dry spells better than typical sugar maple.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers deep, well-drained loam. Tolerates clay-loam but dislikes compacted, poorly drained, or salty soil — give it good drainage.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — classic sugar-maple leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFall Color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrilliant, reliable scarlet-red — more intense than seedling sugar maples\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliably hardy through USDA zone 4 — proven in Twin Cities winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; protect the trunk from buck rub the first 2 winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalt Tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow — keep away from heavy road-salt spray\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSugar maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer saccharum\u003c\/em\u003e) is native to Minnesota and much of eastern North America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInferno Sugar Maple Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront-Yard Fall-Color Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Inferno's moment to shine. Planted alone in a front lawn, it becomes the brightest tree on the street every October, glowing a uniform scarlet-red while seedling sugar maples vary from yellow to orange. The reliable grafted color is the whole point of the selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative and Woodland Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSugar maple is a true Minnesota native and a backbone of our hardwood forests, so Inferno fits naturally into native and naturalized landscapes. It's an excellent long-lived shade tree for larger properties and a strong choice for restoring canopy in established Twin Cities neighborhoods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStately Shade and Allee Trees\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its strong upright-oval form and dense canopy, Inferno makes outstanding deep shade at maturity and lines a long drive beautifully in matched plantings. Give it room — it's a large, long-term tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Inferno Sugar Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes — typically mid-November in the Twin Cities. Avoid mid-summer planting in heat and humidity, and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw. Sugar maples especially appreciate the lower transplant stress of these cooler windows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Inferno Sugar Maple\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width but only as deep as the ball is tall, so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrioritize drainage — sugar maples resent wet feet and compacted soil, so if water pools in the hole, break through any clay hardpan or mound-plant to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't grow beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — give a single specimen 30–35 feet of clearance from buildings and other large trees; space an allee 35–40 feet apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips in a wide ring, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Never use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Inferno Sugar Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply and slowly every 1–2 days. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3–6: every 5–7 days during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate (the Twin Cities average about 3 inches a month from June through August). \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October — so the tree doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, Inferno needs supplemental water mainly during extended droughts (two-plus weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Soak deeply to 8–12 inches every 7–14 days during dry spells. Consistent moisture produces the best growth and the most vivid fall color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Inferno Sugar Maple survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It's rated to USDA zone 4 and is reliably hardy in Twin Cities winters. Wrap the young trunk the first winter to prevent sunscald and buck rub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow here?\u003c\/strong\u003e At a moderate pace — roughly 1–2 feet per year in good Minnesota soil. Sugar maples are steady rather than fast growers, but they're long-lived, stately trees well worth the wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Sugar maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer saccharum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a true Minnesota native and a cornerstone of our hardwood forests. 'JFS-Caddo2' is a selected cultivar bred from a southern (Caddo) provenance for more reliable scarlet fall color and better heat and drought tolerance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay and salt?\u003c\/strong\u003e It handles clay-loam if drainage is decent, but sugar maples dislike compacted, soggy soil and have low salt tolerance — keep Inferno out of heavy road-salt zones and improve drainage on tight clay sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between this and a red maple?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugar maples like Inferno are slower, longer-lived, and more particular about drainage and salt, with classic hard-maple wood and scarlet fall color. Red maples (like Red Sunset) grow faster and tolerate wetter, tougher sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreen Mountain Sugar Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a heat- and drought-tougher sugar maple with dependable orange-gold fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a faster-growing maple with brilliant orange-red fall color that also handles wetter sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState Street Miyabe Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, salt- and clay-tolerant maple for boulevards and hard urban sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Red Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a stately native shade tree with rich red fall color for large properties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkyline Honeylocust\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fine-textured shade tree with golden fall color and light, dappled shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Inferno Sugar Maple Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInferno is a large specimen shade tree — one is a front-yard statement, and most suburban lots have room for exactly one. Give a single tree 30–35 feet of clearance from your house, driveway, and other large trees. For an allee along a long rural drive, space trees 35–40 feet apart; a 200-foot drive takes about 5–6 trees per side. Don't mass them in small yards — the 35–40-foot mature spread needs room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInferno Sugar Maple Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Subtle chartreuse-yellow flowers in early May feed early pollinators before the classic five-lobed leaves unfold into a dense green canopy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep-green, heat-resistant Caddo foliage holds its color through hot, dry spells that scorch ordinary sugar maples; the dense crown casts cool, full shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The main event — a uniform, brilliant scarlet-red blaze in October, more intense and more reliable than seedling sugar maples that drift yellow-orange.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A strong upright-oval silhouette with sturdy branch architecture that sheds snow well; the hard-maple wood resists storm breakage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/green-mountain-sugar-maple\"\u003eGreen Mountain Sugar Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a companion sugar maple with orange-gold fall color for a two-tone October show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sunset-red-maple\"\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — faster-growing red fall color for the wetter spots Inferno won't tolerate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/state-street-miyabe-maple\"\u003eState Street Miyabe Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — the salt-tough maple for the boulevard strip where Inferno can't go.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-red-oak\"\u003eNorthern Red Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — a fellow Minnesota native canopy tree with russet-red fall color and wildlife value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Inferno Sugar Maple Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Inferno if you have a larger lot with deep, well-drained soil, full sun to light shade, and you want the most brilliant, dependable scarlet fall color a native shade tree can deliver — it even tolerates the light shade of neighboring trees while young. It's not a fit if your site is compacted, soggy, or hit by heavy road-salt spray: sugar maples have low salt tolerance and resent wet feet, so pick Red Sunset Red Maple or State Street Miyabe Maple for those spots instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260808614193,"sku":"GT-T0736","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/inferno-sugar-maple.jpg?v=1779426694","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/inferno-sugar-maple","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}